Organisational change and occupational therapy

Major restructing of health care services has meant changes in service delivery, organisational structures and work practices. There has been a significant impact on the roles and responsibilities required of health care professionals in the current health care environment. The literature reveals that this often brings about conflict between professional values and organisational values. Although many of the current changes in health care are compatible with the philosophy of occupational therapy, there are policy and organisational factors that have an impact on occupational therapy practice and service delivery. In this article, the emerging characteristics of the contemporary health care environment are identified and the strengths and weaknesses of the profession in adapting to this environment are discussed. It is argued that the survival and growth of the profession are dependent on the extent to which it is able to capitalise on strengths, overcome weaknesses, articulate its overall purpose and function and redefine its role and scope of practice in order to meet changed societal and organisational demands